Cooling system for a turbomachine

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention may provide an integrated cooling system for multiple compartments of a turbomachine. The cooling system, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may provide the following benefits to the user. Improvement on the combined cycle efficiency and an increase in the power output. This may result from reducing the exhaust dilution losses and reducing the parasitic load by requiring fewer air circulation devices. The present invention may also benefit the user by reducing the installation and start-up costs of the cooling system by requiring fewer air circulation devices and integrating the cooling systems. The present invention may circulate a cooling fluid through an integrated cooling circuit, which may be in fluid communication with each compartment of the multiple compartment of the turbomachine.

1. A system for cooling multiple compartments of a turbomachine, the system comprising:
 a turbomachine comprising multiple compartments, wherein the compartments comprise at least a first compartment and a second compartment;
 wherein the first compartment encloses at least one turbomachine component, 
 wherein the at least one turbomachine component comprises: a compressor 
 section; a combustion section; or a turbine section; 
 
 a cooling system for reducing a temperature of each compartment of the multiple compartments; wherein the cooling system comprises: 
 a cooling circuit which is in fluid communication with at least the first compartment and the second compartment; the cooling circuit comprises a first portion the cooling circuit is located within the first compartment and a second portion of the cooling circuit is located within the second compartment;
 wherein the first portion of the cooling circuit comprises: a first compartment (FC) supply line for allowing the air to enter the first compartment; and a first compartment (FC) discharge line for allowing the air to exit the first compartment; and 
 wherein the second portion of the cooling circuit comprises: a second 
 compartment (SC) supply line; and at least one compartment link for integrating the SC supply line with a discharge end of the first portion of the cooling circuit; and 
 
 at least one air circulation device for moving a cooling fluid through the cooling circuit; 
 wherein the cooling fluid comprises air which derives from ambient; 
 wherein an air enters the first compartment at a first temperature range, exits the first compartment at a second temperature range and then enters the second compartment at the second temperature range and exits the second compartment at a third temperature range. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second compartment encloses an exhaust frame, wherein the exhaust frame comprises a shell, and wherein the SC supply line integrates the shell. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the shell comprises a double wall and allow for the SC supply line to discharge the air through the double wall. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a HRSG integrated with an aft end of the second compartment, wherein the HRSG receives an exhaust generated by the turbomachine and receives the air from a discharge portion of the cooling circuit. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one air circulation device comprises a fan and is connected to an intake end of the FC supply line. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the fan receives air that derives from the ambient, and moves the air through: the FC supply line, the FC discharge line, the SC supply line, the at least one compartment link, and the SC discharge line wherein the air is discharged into the exhaust frame. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a bypass system for allowing a portion of the air to discharge from the cooling circuit. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the bypass system is integrated with the FC discharge line. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the bypass system comprises a vent allowing for the air to discharge to the ambient. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a booster device configured for increasing a flowrate of the air flowing within the cooling circuit. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the booster device comprises at least one of: a fan, a blower, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the booster device is integrated with SC supply line. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one air circulation device comprises a blower. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein an inlet portion of the blower is integrated with a discharge end of the FC discharge line and an outlet portion of the blower is integrated with an inlet end of the SC supply line. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the blower draws the air through the FC supply line, the FC discharge line; and the blower moves the air through the SC discharge line and the exhaust frame. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the cooling system discharges the air, which then engages the exhaust, and reduces a temperature of the exhaust by less than about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one air circulation device comprises a fan and is connected to the FC discharge line.